Wisconsin Joins California, Montana, Michigan, Mississippi, New York And Others Facing A Drastic Tourism Plunge As Mexico And Canada Continue Travel Freeze To The Us For Eight Months Straight: Everything You need to know

Published on September 19, 2025

In 2025, nan U.S. tourism assemblage is grappling pinch a drastic plunge successful visitant numbers crossed respective cardinal states, including Wisconsin, California, Montana, Michigan, Mississippi, and New York. The ongoing recreation frost has peculiarly affected Canada and Mexico, 2 of nan U.S.’s largest tourism markets, pinch their visitors declining sharply complete nan past 8 months. This phenomenon, which has seen an upward inclination successful argumentation restrictions, economical barriers, and geopolitical factors, is now reverberating done U.S. destinations that erstwhile relied heavy connected world travel.

States for illustration Wisconsin and California are experiencing significant declines successful tourism, pinch California seeing a driblet of 0.6% and Wisconsin witnessing a 18.1% decrease successful visitant numbers compared to 2024. Similarly, Montana, Michigan, Mississippi, and New York person each reported little visitation rates, pinch Montana facing a 20.8% drop and Michigan reporting a 16.2% decline. These downturns person been exacerbated by a operation of factors, including accrued visa requirements, nan precocious U.S. dollar, and stricter separator enforcement that person made recreation to nan U.S. much difficult and costly for world visitors.

Meanwhile, Canada and Mexico proceed to look recreation restrictions and a terrible diminution successful U.S.-bound tourists, contributing to nan Travel Freeze that has now lasted for 8 months straight. As some countries instrumentality much stringent introduction procedures and nan U.S. dollar makes U.S. vacations little affordable, travelers are progressively opting for replacement destinations pinch easier entree and little costs. The Travel Freeze continues to reshape nan world tourism landscape, and U.S. tourism destinations are emotion nan semipermanent impact, pinch nary contiguous betterment successful show unless important argumentation changes are made.

Canada’s Declining Tourism to nan US successful 2025

Canada, historically a important contributor to U.S. tourism, has seen a drastic displacement successful 2025, pinch Canadian roadworthy trips to nan U.S. falling by 37% successful July compared to nan aforesaid period successful 2024, pursuing a 33% decline successful June. Air recreation from Canada besides took a hit, pinch a 26% year-over-year drop successful travelers. This marks nan seventh consecutive period of declines, pinch double-digit reductions successful some car and aerial recreation since April. Interestingly, nan diminution is predominantly one-way: 7% less Americans drove to Canada successful July, but aerial recreation to Canada saw a 0.7% increase.

The diminution is linked to caller U.S. visa and separator policies, specified arsenic nan suspension of nan interview waiver program and nan preamble of a $250 Visa Integrity Fee successful 2025. These changes person analyzable nan recreation process for Canadians, who erstwhile enjoyed a streamlined entry. The request for in-person interviews has led to longer hold times, while nan added costs of nan Visa Integrity Fee has made U.S. visits moreover much expensive, prompting galore Canadians to rethink their recreation plans.

Mexico Sees Significant Decline successful U.S. Tourism successful 2025

Mexico, traditionally 1 of nan U.S.’s largest tourism markets, has faced a crisp downturn successful 2025, pinch air recreation to nan U.S. dropping by 23% successful nan first half of nan year, pursuing an 11.8% decline successful nan first quarter. This diminution is portion of an ongoing trend, pinch seven months of consecutive drops successful some aerial and onshore recreation from Mexico to nan U.S. The tightening of U.S. visa policies, including nan $250 Visa Integrity Fee and nan suspension of nan question and reply waiver program, has created barriers for galore Mexican travelers. The strengthening U.S. dollar and nan political climate person further discouraged travel, arsenic expenses emergence and sentiments displacement against nan U.S. arsenic a destination.

Looking ahead, bookings for nan summertime and fall are importantly little compared to past year, indicating that nan diminution successful visitors will persist. As a result, galore Mexicans are choosing replacement destinations for illustration Europe and Latin America, which connection easier visa processes. To reverse nan trend, nan U.S. must see argumentation reforms, specified arsenic reinstating nan interview waiver program and lowering visa costs, to make nan U.S. a much appealing destination again.

Wisconsin’s Tourism Struggles successful 2025

Wisconsin’s tourism assemblage is enduring a notable slump successful 2025, pinch figures done July showing 32.2K visitors compared pinch 39.3K during nan aforesaid play successful 2024, an 18 percent decline. Every period tells its ain communicative of contraction aliases stagnation. The fiscal twelvemonth began weaker, pinch October 2025 down astir 25 percent astatine 307 visitors versus 409 successful 2024, followed by November easing somewhat to 323 against 338. December mirrored nan anterior twelvemonth astatine 1.3K, but momentum faltered successful nan first quarter: January edged up astatine 5.8K versus 5.5K, yet February tumbled to 8.7K from 11.2K and March fell to 11.7K from 13.8K, marking double-digit declines. The outpouring 4th deed hardest, arsenic April collapsed by 35 percent to 2.8K compared pinch 4.3K, while May posted a uncommon gain, rising to 313 against 275. Summer brought mixed fortunes—June climbed somewhat to 417 versus 275 a twelvemonth earlier, but July held level astatine 609 against 601. Crucially, 2024’s late-summer peak, which saw 733 successful August and 467 successful September, has yet to beryllium reflected successful 2025, leaving unfastened nan imaginable of further shortfalls. Overall, nan information signals a challenging twelvemonth for Wisconsin tourism, pinch spring’s crisp downturn and missing late-summer volumes combining to measurement heavy connected nan state’s recreation economy.

California’s Tourism Experiences Modest Decline

California’s tourism manufacture is facing a flimsy downturn successful 2025, pinch year-to-date figures showing 77.5M visitors compared to 93.8M during nan aforesaid play successful 2024, reflecting a 0.6% decline. October and November saw stability, matching past year’s numbers pinch 7.8M and 7.6M respectively. December saw a humble summation of +2.5% astatine 8.1M, while January followed suit pinch a +1.3% gain astatine 7.9M. However, nan first 4th showed a decline, pinch February down by 2.9% astatine 6.8M and March dropping 1.3% astatine 7.7M. The inclination continued into nan spring, pinch April showing a flimsy summation of +1.3% astatine 7.8M and May declining by 1.3% to 7.8M. The summertime months were little favorable, pinch June down 3.8% astatine 7.7M and July pursuing pinch a 2.4% drop astatine 8.3M. August and September information person yet to beryllium reported, but based connected past year’s beardown capacity successful these months, nan assemblage whitethorn look a deeper shortfall arsenic 2025 progresses. The wide year-to-date full reflects a dip of 0.6%, pinch imaginable further losses arsenic nan year-end approaches.

Montena Tourism Faces Sharp Decline successful 2025

Montena’s tourism assemblage is experiencing a crisp downturn successful 2025, pinch year-to-date totals of 872K visitors compared to 1.3M during nan aforesaid play successful 2024, representing a 20.8% decline. The numbers bespeak important losses crossed astir months, starting pinch October 2025, which saw a 12.4% increase astatine 107K, compared to 95.2K successful 2024. However, nan inclination quickly reversed, pinch November showing a flimsy betterment of +1.1% astatine 74.6K versus 73.8K successful 2024. The twelvemonth continued pinch December showing a +2.0% gain astatine 84.8K, but from January done May, nan losses became much pronounced, pinch February and March some facing important declines of -13.7% and -18.8% astatine 60.7K and 66.5K, respectively. April saw different driblet of -20.6%, reaching 60.2K, followed by a -22.1% autumn successful May astatine 75.3K. The summertime months showed nary relief, pinch June declining by -17.9% astatine 110K, and July dropping -15.3% to 166K. The information for August and September is still pending, but nan figures from erstwhile years show beardown performances pinch 199K successful August and 128K successful September. The year-to-date results overgarment a concerning image for Montena’s tourism, indicating an uphill conflict for betterment successful nan 2nd half of nan year.

Mississippi’s Tourism Faces Major Decline successful 2025

Mississippi’s tourism manufacture is experiencing a notable downturn successful 2025, pinch year-to-date numbers showing 407 visitors compared to 545 during nan aforesaid play successful 2024, reflecting a 17.9% decline. The twelvemonth began pinch a 35.2% drop successful October astatine 35, followed by a astonishing surge successful November, which saw a 372.7% increase astatine 52 compared to 11 successful 2024. However, nan gains were short-lived, arsenic December and January showed declines of 61.1% and 57.5%, reaching 7 and 17, respectively. February followed suit pinch a 63.6% drop astatine 20 from 55 successful 2024. The inclination continued done March and April, pinch March seeing a 18.5% decline astatine 66, and April suffering a crisp 73.1% drop astatine 18 compared to 67 past year. May saw a beardown recovery, pinch a 107.1% increase astatine 58, while June besides improved by 65.0%, reaching 33. Despite immoderate summertime recovery, July saw a flimsy diminution of 7.3% astatine 101 compared to 109 past year. With August and September figures still pending, nan assemblage is connected way to decorativeness nan twelvemonth acold beneath past year’s performance, particularly considering nan beardown summertime months of July and August successful 2024.

Michigan’s Tourism Struggles successful 2025

Michigan’s tourism manufacture is facing a sizeable diminution successful 2025, pinch year-to-date numbers showing 10.9M visitors compared to 14.4M during nan aforesaid play successful 2024, reflecting a 16.2% decrease. The downturn has been peculiarly steep successful nan outpouring and early summertime months, contributing to nan wide driblet successful tourism.

The fiscal twelvemonth began pinch unchangeable figures, arsenic October and November some saw accordant numbers, matching nan erstwhile twelvemonth pinch 1.2M and 1.1M, respectively. December showed a humble uptick of 9.1%, reaching 1.2M, compared to 1.1M successful 2024, providing immoderate dream for a coagulated wintertime tourism season. However, nan momentum faltered successful early 2025, arsenic January recorded only 1.0M visitors, a flimsy summation of 0.7% compared to 993K successful 2024, followed by a much important diminution successful February, which saw a 10.9% decrease to 887K, down from 995K successful nan erstwhile year.

The inclination worsened successful nan pursuing months, pinch March seeing a 100K drop to 1.1M, reflecting an 8.3% decrease, followed by April, which fell sharply by 13.3% to 954K compared to 1.1M successful 2024. The losses continued successful May, which recorded a 16.7% drop to 1.0M from 1.2M successful 2024, and June followed suit pinch a 15.4% decline, falling to 1.1M from 1.3M. July besides faced a 7.1% decline, pinch 1.3M visitors compared to 1.4M successful 2024.

With August and September information still pending, 2025’s tourism assemblage remains connected way to decorativeness nan twelvemonth importantly beneath 2024’s totals. In 2024, nan months of August and September saw peculiarly precocious visitant numbers, reaching 1.5M and 1.2M, respectively. Based connected existent trends, it is apt that Michigan will look a reliable extremity to nan year, pinch wide totals projected to autumn short of past year’s performance.

This diminution successful tourism tin beryllium attributed to a assortment of factors, including changing recreation habits, weather-related disruptions, and perchance decreased user confidence. Despite beardown early months successful 2024 and nan erstwhile year’s higher performance, nan first half of 2025 has shown a marked slowdown successful visitors, pinch a noticeable deficiency of betterment successful nan summertime months. The early of Michigan’s tourism manufacture successful 2025 will apt dangle connected nan expertise to reverse these trends successful nan coming months.

New York’s Tourism Faces Decline successful 2025

New York’s tourism assemblage is facing a downturn successful 2025, pinch year-to-date numbers showing 26.7M visitors compared to 35.9M during nan aforesaid play successful 2024, reflecting a 13.0% decline. The fiscal twelvemonth began pinch a beardown showing successful October, which saw a 6.9% increase astatine 3.1M visitors, compared to 2.9M successful 2024. This was followed by November showing a +8.3% increase, reaching 2.6M, up from 2.4M past year. However, nan inclination reversed successful nan pursuing months, pinch December seeing a humble 3.7% gain astatine 2.8M, compared to 2.7M successful 2024. January besides showed a flimsy betterment of 4.3%, reaching 2.4M, while February and March showed declines of 9.1% and 11.1%, respectively, dropping to 2.0M and 2.4M from 2.2M and 2.7M successful nan erstwhile year. April and May continued nan antagonistic trend, pinch drops of 10.7% and 13.3%, respectively, reaching 2.5M and 2.6M compared to 2.8M and 3.0M successful 2024. The summer months besides saw a downturn, pinch June and July experiencing drops of 12.1% and 14.6%, reaching 2.9M and 3.5M, compared to 3.3M and 4.1M successful 2024. The full-year results stay to beryllium seen, but pinch August and September figures yet to beryllium reported, nan wide inclination suggests that New York will look challenges successful matching past year’s higher visitant numbers.

Other States See Sharp Declines successful Visitor Numbers and Revenue

Nevada: Las Vegas recorded an 11.3% drop successful visitation by June 2025. 2 cardinal less visitors were reported successful July, and edifice occupancy rates fell from 85.2% to 78.7%, pinch average regular rates dropping by 7%. June 2025 saw a 14% collapse successful revenue per disposable room, nan steepest autumn successful a decade.

Colorado: Aspen and Breckenridge saw over 40% less tourists, and Canadian visitors dropped by 58%. The short-term rental marketplace knowledgeable a 10% alteration successful occupancy, and mini business revenues from upland guides and restaurants besides dropped.

New York: The metropolis reported a 17% alteration successful world arrivals, pinch a loss of 2 cardinal visitors, affecting Broadway summons sales and Fifth Avenue retailers. Neighborhoods reliant connected tourism, from Midtown hotels to Queens cafes, faced economical shifts arsenic visitation numbers continued to decline.

Maine: For eight months, Canadian separator crossings person dropped, pinch July unsocial showing a 28% decline. Border towns and section businesses, including family-owned diners and state stations, person seen sharp gross losses, starring to fears of a semipermanent tourism crisis.

New Hampshire: Canadian tourism dropped by 30%, pinch room sales, unit receipts, and attraction visits each declining. The authorities has struggled to pull home visitors, and nan prolonged nonaccomplishment of cross-border postulation has put a strain connected section businesses.

Montana: Kalispell saw 37% little spending, and Whitefish hotels reported a 25% decline successful business. Border crossings astatine Roosville were down 25% successful nan spring, and for 8 months, postulation to Glacier National Park has remained low, threatening nan region’s economy.

Texas: Houston’s tourism assemblage collapsed by 20% aft a one-time boost from hurricane evacuees successful 2024. Over nan past 8 months, hotel occupancy has remained soft, pinch fewer world arrivals and declining edifice receipts, particularly hurting mini and mid-sized businesses.

Potential Reason Behind The Travel Decline successful nan U.S

The decline successful tourism from cardinal markets specified arsenic Canada and Mexico to nan U.S. has been chiefly driven by restrictive visa policies, rising recreation costs, and increased migration enforcement. In Canada, nan astir important facet has been nan 37% drop successful road trips to nan U.S. and a 26% decline successful air travel successful July 2025, marking nan seventh consecutive period of declines. The new visa requirements, which see in-person interviews and nan preamble of a $250 Visa Integrity Fee, person created logistical and financial barriers that dissuade galore Canadians from visiting nan U.S. Additionally, nan strong U.S. dollar has made recreation expenses much costly, reducing nan entreaty of U.S. vacations.

In Mexico, nan downturn is arsenic severe. Air recreation to nan U.S. from Mexico dropped by 23% successful nan first half of 2025, while land travel—which traditionally represents a ample information of Mexican visitors—also felt nan effects of nan Travel Freeze. The same visa-related issues arsenic those faced by Canadian travelers person compounded nan problem. The $250 Visa Integrity Fee and complicated visa procedures person led to longer waiting times and further expenses, pushing Mexican travelers to research replacement destinations. The tightened migration controls and nan cognition of nan U.S. becoming a little welcoming destination are besides influencing recreation sentiment, pinch galore choosing destinations pinch easier introduction processes and little recreation costs.

Conclusion: Navigating nan Travel Freeze’s Impact connected US Tourism

The travel freeze has created a ripple effect crossed nan U.S. tourism industry, pinch states for illustration Wisconsin, California, Montana, Michigan, Mississippi, and New York each grappling pinch important declines successful world visitors. The ongoing declines successful tourism from Canada and Mexico are peculiarly alarming, arsenic some countries person historically been awesome contributors to U.S. tourism. Stricter visa and introduction policies, rising recreation costs owed to nan beardown U.S. dollar, and antagonistic perceptions astir U.S. migration enforcement person each compounded nan problem, discouraging travelers from visiting nan U.S.

As nan travel freeze continues to unfold passim 2025, U.S. tourism destinations are faced pinch nan situation of adapting to a caller reality—one wherever world visitors are less and harder to attract. For nan U.S. to regain its spot arsenic a apical recreation destination, it will request to reside nan barriers to entry, streamline its visa processes, and reverse nan cognition of nan state arsenic an unwelcoming spot for world tourists. Without important changes, nan U.S. risks losing its competitory separator successful nan world tourism marketplace for nan agelong term.